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About

Living in Northern Ontario near the Quebec border, Jon Tobin grew up amongst a landscape and people who are representative of both traditional Canadian heritages. French and English meet in a place that is wild and rugged, always changing, and yet largely untouched by human demands. Watching highly skilled craftsmen create beautiful sleigh harnesses and other quality hand-built pieces in the old ways gave Tobin a unique perspective on how art and life intersect in traditional cultures. The French Canadian film “My Oncle Antoine” is a story, a film and a setting the artist can identify with as Tobin’s childhood was very similar to that of the boy in the film. The severe winter in a small village were the child experiences the death of another child and the problems surrounding removing the body in winter. The love of winter and the dynamics the season brings in Canada are obvious in the artists drawings and paintings.

Reminiscent of French Canadian Ozias Leduc’s work and an early influence , Tobin’s paintings are spiritual in nature, using landscapes figurative and portraits to explore and address our sacred connection to the natural world.

Jon Tobin’s works have been sold to collectors from around the world including Brad Garrett, from the television series Everybody Loves Raymond. Recently Jon Tobin produced commission pieces for Warner Brothers The Gilmore Girls Television series. Jon Tobin currently has a studio in Kitchener, Ontario.

Curriculum Vitae

Birthplace

Toronto, Ontario

Education

1986 – 1996 Study of Holocaust

University of Guelph, French Canadian Literature ; Wilfrid Laurier, Fine Art

1977 – Graduated from the University of Waterloo majoring Fine Art and French Canadian Literature

Exhibitions

2012 – 2015 Exploration of Lilith Theme – Drawings and Paintings

2009 – Urban Winter – Studio Exhibition

2008 – The Young Muse – Studio Exhibition

2006 – Gilmore Girls site specific and purchased commission

2006 – One Of A Kind Show Toronto

2006 – Willow Gallery Toronto

2006 – Homer Watson Gallery

2004 – Willow Gallery

2002 – Paintings Exploring Landscape – Willow Gallery

2001 – Gallery 96 Group show

1997 – 1999 Artworks Kitchener City Hall

1988 – Landreth Gallery Cambridge Landscape Paintings, Group show

1992 – Hazelton Lanes Toronto, Installation using Stained Glass

1984 – 2003 One of A Kind Show Toronto

1982 – 1983 Studio Exhibition Paintings [ research into Holocaust ]

Related Arts Experience

Currently in Fine Arts Studio Jon Tobin

Plays blues and jazz guitar with a focus on improvisation.

Assisted in designing and participated in an outreach art program for
children in outlying communities in Southern Ontario. This innovative
program allowed children the opportunity to explore different mediums.

Volunteering

Served on selection committee for Start Gallery Kitchener, Ontario

Participated in selecting sculpture for entrance to the city of Kitchener